u/heartsandclouds

Links to previous discussions: Masterpost | All Discussions | Episodes 1-4 | Eps 5-6 | Eps 7-8 | Eps 9-10

Discussion schedule:

• April 21: Eps 13-14 - u/lotus_swimmer
• Apr 22: Eps 15-16 - u/heartsandclouds

FYI We are following the non-VIP schedule

In the bed, bath and beyond edition of The Epoch of Miyu, substandard bedding becomes the vehicle for a whole lot of plot to move along.

Before we get going though-- is the Wei nephew just a bumbling ignoramus or a sly character out to destroy the hotel? I think the former, but then why does he put up with Feng Kaixin? Unless there is more to their relationship than we are privy to as of this point. The way Feng Kaixin keeps calling him, “Zhigang” and the way the Wei nephew keeps indulging FK makes me wonder at what’s going on there.

Wallace Chung cleans up nice in this shot! all that black suit—giving off CEO vibes. loved the way the scene was set up—showing both Miyu & Ji Feng getting ready, coming in, before 💩 hits the fan

We have Wei the nephew calmly throwing Ji Feng under the bus, hoping to rattle him with the unplanned announcement of his GM-ship.

LOL. Duan Jr’s look as Ji Feng’s GM-ship is announced. \"If only looks could kill.\"

These two episodes could turn out to be pivotal in Miyu’s growth arc. In the beginning of episode 11 we see Ke Wenxue being an eager bystander, enjoying the unfolding drama of Miyu’s misfortune and we end episode 12 with Ke Wenxue discussing with her coworkers how Miyu is actually easily manipulable, a conversation Miyu overhears.

In between, Miyu tries to stand up for her coworkers asking for overtime for them (only to be ridiculed ofc); and then unable to bear her co-worker's censure at her inability to get them overtime pay she gives them time off from work, instead doing all the work herself; is used as a scapegoat by Wei & Feng Kaixin to solve their linen troubles; and is way over her head when it comes to dealing with aggressive customers/clients like the journalist guy.

I do wonder how much of her coworker’s attitude towards her is because of her soft-heart and how much of it is because “she didn’t earn her position, so what right does she have to manage them?” She is caught between a rock and a hard place.

And yet, it is also true, that to rise to the top she needs to have much stronger boundaries to balance her empathy.

I think both Ji Feng’s reminder that they are “both in the same boat now,” and that if she does not want the hotel to gradually decline she needs to pull herself together and pull her weight, along with the fact that she overhears the brutal and honest conversation between her coworkers at the end of episode 13 should (might?) move the needle along. I am hoping/thinking that that conversation is exactly the kick in pants that she needs!

In all fairness to her, so far the system hasn’t been in her favor either with a direct supervisor who has been actively hampering all her efforts. Perhaps having another ally who is actually interested in saving the hotel, and having this fact out in the open now, might mitigate that systemic disadvantage. I gotta say that the way the writers are developing this specifc arc for Miyu feels very organic and honest. I am hoping we continue to see Miyu fully blooming into herself.

linens is the love language of our leads

Which is why I enjoyed Miyu taking the initiative to go directly to Ji Feng when she realized that her proposal had gone nowhere. SHE KNEW ALL THE SPECS!! this scene did such a good job of reminding the viewer that Miyu is not without skills.

and that scene!! It all felt very heady to me! Like a whole new love language that comprises of things like thread counts and fiber lengths! And sweet nothings to the tune of “they can’t fire me because I work had, and we are a team right?”

I MEAN look at the very next scene! Our suave GM is helping the forewoman put the bedsheets on! I mean I never thought I would have a thing for a guy wearing a suit and a tie, down on his knees, putting a sheet on a bed like a pro, but hey, you don't know what you don't know! 😁

I’ve always thought that competence of any shape or form is so hugely appealing and this tiny scene does such an excellent job of showcasing that. I mean even Miyu was totally taken aback at Ji Feng’s bedding putting covers on a bed skill!

 and maybe Ji Feng as well finally feels that he isn’t a lone warrior in this fight anymore?

love this shot because it shows Wallace Chung’s real (or closer to real) skin color and it is gorgeous (though in the very next shot he appears whiter than before—was that lighting or make-up?)

Other random bits:
- I thought the coworkers thinking Miyu is the “big boss” behind the scenes very funny.
- Does anyone know the location where the hotel lobby is shot? It sure looks grand.
- xyz123007 said here, "Purong Hotel has a type. Everyone is so petty" and I thought of that again in these episodes. the show excels at showing the pettiness of human nature in its worst form. exhibit: Feng Kainxin holding back Miyu’s new supplier proposal.

Links for previous discussion:
Masterpost
Eps 1 to 4
Eps 5-6

I am so enjoying this show! Partly, it is the way the main leads are written—very much their own people, with their own strengths and insecurities AND the way they are oh-so-slightly leaning in to each other because of the way the circumstances have brought them together. I mean that’s a good way of art mimicking life and I am loving it!

Let’s begin with the way Miyu & Ji Feng are crossing paths. I love the barnacle goose story that Ji Feng shares at the beginning of episode 7! But before that I sooooo love that tiny self-deprecating expression on Wallace Chung’s face when Miyu asks him if he came to laugh at her. As if that comment isn’t unexpected given their history AND yet Ji Feng wants to provide solace nonetheless—that juxtaposition of knowing he didn’t act kindly towards her in the past and yet wanting to help her now—I am here for it! I love a character who can hold the both-and dichotomies like that. (and it shows up again when he goes to get her a sandwich when they are both in the hospital with Mr. Tan)

Xu Miyu’s revelation about her name is a gut punch. That she takes inspiration from the goose story Ji Feng shares is a testament to her courage, and we see this again when she tells her co-worker, “YOU WANT GOSSIP, GIRL? ASK ME! THE SOURCE! DIRECTLY!” and then the swagger with which she walks away. And then again in the way she is determined to get a good review from Ji Feng.

banter, I tell you!

I found the conversation between the chipper Miyu and the can-you-tone-that-down Ji Feng in episode 7 pure banter. Yes, it was about the cleaning of a hotel room, you are correct dear reader, and efficient cleaning of a room at that but the way our leads cross words with each other, razor-sharp, focused, and then the way Miyu takes a step closer to Ji Feng (not gonna be intimidated by you, YOU person), and the way Ji Feng rises a little from his seat into Miyu to make his point (you want to give good service? Do not disturb the guest!) --pure banter vibes, friends! What did you feel about that?

she might not have meant to hit him but she sure as heck was happy she hit the old curmudgeon!

Nie Yuecheng—I have finally found a character who is the ultimate master of deceiving himself—that whole song and dance about bringing Miyu the clothes because he “cares” for HER while really he just cares about what she thinks of HIM and/or he is dense enough to think he still has a chance with her—like I said, a master of self-deception! I bet in his head he still thinks he is the poster boy for good husband.

Lu Zhenzhen – I continue to think she is an interesting character and isn’t wholly buying into Nie Yucheng’s crap. I guess we’ll find out. And of course there’s the way she throws Miyu at her client--not sure about that.

I am not sure if her smirk in this scene is because she is mad at the client requesting Miyu’s service or if she thinks there’s something fishy here and she is glad that Miyu has to face the brunt of it

Ugh at the way hotel staff have to deal with crappy guests—I would think hotels have a harassment policy against their employees at the very least. I was a little surprised at the way Madam Zhang just brushed Miyu’s concerns aside about potential harassment and basically told her to “not misinterpret.” UGH.

And now onto Ji Feng!! He sure has a nose for what’s going on. I love how the character is shown as being really competent in all these different ways. There is the way he reads people and handles them (the alternate bottle of wine he gave the guest who wanted the screaming eagle one in ep 1) and then the way he pays attention to the little details (the time for cleaning the room and the balance between efficiency and quality. I found his comment "it’s not your house that you are cleaning" quite thought-provoking!) and then the way he knows something isn’t adding up when the hotel staff want him to move because of an “engineering issue.”

And he is serious about his job—the way he sidesteps the woman who spills wine on his suit's "friend request," instead showing her the code for sending him money for the dry-cleaning--it had me cracking up. It sure caught Miyu by surprise as well!

Also lol @ the way he just naturally assumes command—Ms Ann was definitely taken aback when he just matter-of-factly tells her to keep him updated about the search for Mr. Tan’s family!

 I also totally love the subtle ways that Wallace Chung is acting this character. The look on his face when he goes up to meet Duan Jr. at the party and sees that he is busy, so decides to wait. And then ofc Duan Jr notices him and comes to Ji Feng than it being the other way around.

Wallace Chung: ok, can I just say that he has a strange always-in-his-late-30s-early-40s vibe that I TOTALLY DIG! The dude is 50 but he has an ageless look/vibe/quality that I really enjoy. Lin Gengxin is the other actor who does this for me! Do you guys have an actor/actress like that for you?

We also meet various other players in the story in these two episodes!

Senior Xue Rui: Potential friend for Ji Feng
Mr Wei: is he just unhappy that Ji Feng is there because it means usurping of his position or is he involved in things much shadier?
Duan Jr: well, we have a new character!! He is interested in Purong hotel as well! So will he and Ji Feng become co-conspirators or enemies? Yet to be revealed!

Qiaoqi: I so love her character! The way she makes sure Duan Jr. just dances around, waiting for the seafood he made her work overtime for, never really getting it, was hilarious. And then of course the way she comes to her friend’s aide! 

Though Miyu was doing damn well on her own! I was delighted by the graceful and absolutely polite way she gets back at the woman who tried to make her the culprit for spilling the wine on Ji Feng’s coat. “It is indeed my poor service. I am so sorry!” She sure has the chops to be in the service industry if she can act like steel wrapped up in velvet! and the look on Ji Feng’s face just a moment before she said that—he was appreciating her performance as well!

 

love the salt in Miyu’s character, and I love it when she says this s because we as the viewer know of course that these two are destined to end up together, making this observation that much the funnier!

The whole arc with Mr. Tan also shows Miyu's innate kindness. (aside: I loved the smile on her face as she watched the old man go in the cab—the sense of accomplishment at having helped him book a cab was very palpable). And then later, she didn’t really have to go check up on him again, especially since she wasn’t on duty, but that she did, was because she was worried about him. I’m not too sure about the way she lets Yin Xiang take credit for her help though—still trying to decide if she was being “too accommodating” and a doormat here or if it’s an indicator of her genuine kindness and empathy for her fellow co-worker who would surely face repercussions for not being fully there during her job hours.

And we end on a note of mystery!

GUYS! THIS SHOW HAS IT ALL! Leads who have a sense of who they are! A romance in the offings with a SOLID foundational groundwork! Supporting characters who are interesting in their own right (Looking at Duan Jr and his need to prove himself)! Humor! Mystery! Decent visuals! I hope this series becomes a sleeper hit!